BP official says tax cut doesn't guarantee more Alaska jobs

JUNEAU -- A spokesman for BP Alaska says Gov. Sean Parnell's proposal to slash oil production taxes is a good first step toward creating a more hospitable investment climate, but he stopped short of promising that tax cuts would lead to more jobs or investment in Alaska.

Steve Rinehart says companies must consider more than taxes when making investment decisions.

Nonetheless, he says the relationship between fiscal policy and investment is "pretty clear" and BP will try to provide a "spectrum of assurance" as lawmakers weigh tax changes.

He says there's a lot of oil to drill on the North Slope and that BP wants to "put more money" into Alaska.

Parnell has urged industry officials to testify on proposed tax changes and how they'd lead to increased investments and jobs here.

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